All You Need To Know About Acrylic Paint

By Mot Tuman

Even though acrylic paints are one of the most popular mediums in today’s art arsenal, they are fairly new in comparison to other mediums. Acrylic paint was not invented until the 1930s and did not become popular until the 1960s.

This makes them the youngest sibling of other popular mediums, such as oil paints, which were created in the 7th century, and watercolors, which have existed in different forms since ancient times. 

What Are Acrylic Paints?

Acrylics rapidly became popular because of their versatility and unique attributes. They are extremely durable and flexible paints, which allows artists to use them on a multitude of surfaces, including anything from canvas and paper to stone and brick. 

The binder for acrylic paint is what is known as an acrylic polymer. A paint’s binder holds together the pigments and necessary additives to create the paint. Acrylic polymer is a type of plastic that is transparent, flexible, and can be broken down with water. It is responsible for acrylic paints’ unique attributes. 

Acrylic polymer is so effective at clinging to different surfaces that it is often used on its own as an adhesive. On top of that, once acrylics dry they are permanent and cannot be reactivated with water, making them excellent for outside murals or sculptures. 

Overall, the result is a paint that can be both transparent and opaque, has a slightly glossy sheen, can easily be cleaned with water, dries rapidly, and can be used countless different ways. 

Variants of Acrylic Paint

Since acrylics rise in popularity, many different variants have become available on the market. Each one has slightly different attributes and application methods, giving artists an array of choices to find what works best for them.

Below are some of the types of acrylics that artists might encounter on the market.

Soft body acrylics are the most common type of acrylic available. They have a medium viscosity and are consistent with what many people would deem “regular” acrylic paint. 

Heavy body acrylics are slightly denser than soft body acrylic paints. While they do not have the same level of density and structure as impasto acrylics, heavy body acrylics are a favorite among artists who want a typical acrylic without a lot of fluidity. 

Fluid acrylics are acrylic paints which have been modified to be more fluid. They may also be marketed as liquid acrylic paints. While the level of fluidity will vary from brand to brand, they are ideal for artists who want less texture and more washy effects in their paintings. 

Acrylic inks are created with an extremely fluid acrylic emulsion. They have the consistency of a traditional ink, but with a lightfast pigment base, rather than a fugitive dye base. Acrylic inks can be used for anything that traditional inks might be used for, while being completely compatible with other forms of acrylic.  

Impasto acrylics are extremely dense and fluffy acrylics that are formulated to keep their structure as they dry, allowing for thick, impasto style textures.

Matte acrylics are known for being flat, matte, and opaque. While they have the essential acrylic polymer and cannot be reactivated with water once they are dry, they look and act similar to gouache. Hence the other common name for this type of paint, acrylic gouache.

While they lose some of the flexibility that traditional acrylics have, their matte sheen makes them a great medium for illustrators or those who want to reproduce their art digitally and through prints. 

Open acrylics are acrylics that have been modified to have a slower drying time. “open” refers to paint before it has started to develop a skin and dry. This is ideal for artists that struggle with acrylics’ notoriously fast drying time, or those who enjoy plein air painting and may need a medium that stays wet longer while traveling. 

Acrylic markers are markers filled with fluid acrylic. Though they are difficult to blend, the convenience of their portability and easy clean up has made them a favorite among illustrators and calligraphers. They make blocking in colors and capturing small details quick and easy.

Acrylic Mediums

There are countless ways to modify acrylic. The best way to customize acrylic paint is with mediums. While there are many acrylic mediums available, here are a few of the most common that artists will encounter.

While Gesso is not always considered a medium, it works as a primer for acrylic paints. Though not all surfaces need to be primed prior to painting acrylics because of their incredible adhesion, gesso provides a reliable and consistent surface for painting. It is slightly absorbent and textured, allowing paint to easily adhere to the surface without losing any of its vibrancy. Gesso can sometimes be found in various colors, including black and transparent, but most commonly comes in white.
See our fine selection of: Gesso and Primers 

Matte medium can change acrylic paints’ slightly glossy sheen into a matte one. This medium can also be helpful for blending, increasing the fluidity of your acrylics, and extending paints for more use. 

Gloss medium is similar to matte medium but instead of giving the paint a matte sheen, it will give it a glossier sheen. It can also be used for blending, increasing fluidity, and extending acrylics. 

Glazing medium works to thin and increase transparency in acrylic paint. While some artists might use water for this purpose, too much water can compromise the structure of acrylic paint. Mediums that contain an acrylic polymer, like glazing mediums, can thin acrylic while maintaining its structure. They are excellent for glazing and blending.

Other mediums, such as those that affect texture, dry time, sheen, and consistency are available for any artist searching for something specific to customize their paintings.

Brushes For Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint brushes need to be more durable than other types of brushes because acrylic can be extremely harsh on bristles. Some artists will prefer synthetic brushes for their acrylic paints because natural brushes can become damaged by acrylics over time. 

Dried acrylic can be difficult to wash out of brushes, but frequently rinsing a brush between colors will make the final clean up easier. Washing the brush more thoroughly with brush soap after painting will ensure that dried paint does not accumulate in the bristles and damage the brush over time. Below are some brands of brushes that hold up to acrylics.

Berlin Brushes are synthetic, long-handled brushes. The long handle is ideal for working at an easel, while the synthetic bristles are durable  

Pro-stroke Powercryl Brushes are long handled with three different diameters of bristle filament. This slight difference in sizes allows for a durable, absorbent brush.

Vesta Brushes are synthetic brushes that were created to mimic the interlocking bristle structure of natural hog hair.

Mimik Kolinsky Brushes are softer synthetic brushes that are perfect for an artist that wants to capture small and blended details. They come in long handles, for easel users, and short handles for an artist that prefers to work paintings flat on a desk. 

Try Me Brush Sets are an excellent option for an artist looking to try out a mixture of different brushes for a lower price. Several of the sets available are compatible with acrylics and come in short handle and long handle varieties. 

Palettes For Acrylic Paint

There are many options for acrylic palettes, each one with unique attributes for unique workflows. Here are some of the most common palettes available on the market for acrylic paint. 

Glass palettes are easy to clean and meant to find a permanent place in any artist’s studio. They will sometimes come backed with a neutral gray color that allows artists to mix values more accurately. 

Butcher’s Trays are a favorite among artists because of their versatility. They are created from durable enameled metal and have a lipped edge that allows artists to mix watery washes without fear of spilling. 

Wet palettes are typically air tight plastic palettes that contain a thin sponge layered with palette paper. When the sponge is soaked in distilled water, it keeps the paints wet for an extended period of time without the risk of mold. This palette is ideal for artists that struggle with their paint drying out on the palette, or those who will work with the same colors over the course of a few days. 

Plastic palettes can be extremely helpful to acrylic artists because once acrylic has dried, it can easily be peeled off the palette. These palettes might also come with separated mixing areas, to avoid color contamination, and airtight lids to help keep paint fresh. 

Conclusion

There are countless different types of acrylic paints, mediums, brushes, and palettes, each one allowing an artist to customize to their needs. Whatever your artistic goals are, acrylics are a versatile and unique medium that has found itself as a staple in many artists’ homes. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is acrylic paint usually used for?

A: Acrylic paint can be used for many different subjects and on many different surfaces because of its durability and flexibility. It is a popular medium among both professional artists and hobbyists. 

Is acrylic paint waterproof?

A: Once acrylic paint has dried, it becomes water resistant and cannot be reactivated with water. However, if left to soak in water, the dried acrylic paint will start to lift and peel off. 

Do you use water with acrylic paint?

A: Too much water mixed into acrylic paint can cause the acrylic’s polymer binder to break down, damaging the structure and archivability of the paint. It is recommended to use an acrylic medium, such as a glazing medium, to thin acrylic paint without compromising its integrity. However, water is excellent for cleaning acrylic paint brushes or spills. 

Why do painters use acrylic paint? 

A: Acrylic paint is a favorite among many artists because of its versatility. It is durable, flexible, and can be painted on a variety of surfaces, while retaining its bright colors and brushability. 

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More Resources

1. Acrylic Paint vs. Gouache: What’s the Difference?
2. Do You Really Need Acrylic Mediums?
3. How To Blend Acrylic Paint